In 2017, Bollywood actress Neena Gupta took everyone by surprise when she posted on social media that "she was a good actor looking for work" after realising she wasn't getting significant work after being in the industry decades. She was not only praised for it but she landed Amit Sharma's Badhaai Ho, co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Gajraj Rao and Sanya Malhotra. Add to this, Neena was applauded for her act in the quirky comedy, about a middle-aged couple who gets pregnant. 

In a chat with a leading daily, Neena says she doesn't want to call it her comeback. "I was always there, I never went anywhere," wondering, "What should I term it?" She added, "Bas, ek thappa sa lag gaya. Every actor looks for that breakthrough role. Mujhe abhi mil gaya." Not to forget, Neena is currently shooting for Rohit Shetty's Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif-starrer Sooryavanshi, in which she plays Akshay's mother. Crediting the success of Badhaai Ho for the work she is getting, Neena stated, "Now, I have hired a manager, the makers got in touch and things happened fast, within days I found myself shooting for Sooryavanshi. Badhaai Ho opened up new avenues for me. It has given me better roles. Usually, I would have got some chhote roles here and there, but with recognition and accolades come the significant parts. I was destined to get it."

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That's not all. Neena further praised thr new writing in Bollywood which allows senior actors to play important roles in film projects. "I guess my timing was perfect. Films are being made on a lot of new subjects, which were not delved upon earlier. There are interesting parts now for senior actors as well. The audience has also evolved thanks to the digital exposure. There is Netflix and social media. The audience, especially the youngsters want novel subjects and quality content," she quipped.

Apart from Sooryavanshi, Neena has wrapped up Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Rajeev Barnwal's Gwalior, co-starring Sanjay Mishra, apart from chef-turned-filmmaker Vikas Khanna's The Last Colour.

(Source: Mid-Day)